Page 25 of Pretty Little Kitty

Miguel frowned. “What am I supposed to do with him while you’re laying down the law?”

Interesting way to put it. “Just make sure he doesn’t wander off or get into any trouble. Keep scumbags away from him.” He gave Miguel a skeptical look. “Do I really need to spell this out for you?”

“Since he seems clueless, I’ll watch the pussycat,” Cesar volunteered with a wink, giving Suero a shit-eating grin.

“Not when you look too eager for the job,” Suero snarled. “I said protection, not find ways to sneak him into a back room.”

“You just sucked the joy right out of my very soul,” Cesar grumbled, heading off to serve a customer who had his hand up like he was hailing a cab.

“Listen.” Still baffled he had to explain this to Miguel. “If he gets tired, let him crash in one of the rooms. He’s not going home tonight since his car’s out of commission and nobody can give him a lift home.”

“Fine, but I’m charging you a babysitting fee.” Miguel went back to drying the glasses that had been lying on the mat next to the sink.

“How much?” Suero would pay. Not just because he wanted to take Kia home, but also because of how risky it was watching over a cat in a bar full of wolves. Plus, there was the threat of their uncle, who might start a war over his nephews hanging out there.

Miguel cracked a smile as he shook his head. “Not money, hermano.”

A knot formed in Suero’s stomach.

“Not a fucking chance I’m doing that again.” He narrowed his eyes. “The last time I groomed Psycho, she tried to carve a pound of flesh out of me.”

Just thinking about the menace made his arms and chest ache. He still carried the scars from that menace.

“What can I say?” Miguel shrugged, fully aware he had Suero by the nut sack. “She lives up to her name.”

“This is extortion.”

“It’s negotiating,” Miguel corrected. “You want me to watch Jared so you can have some alone time with your mate. I want you to bathe her and trim her nails. We both win.”

Suero shot a quick look toward the end of the bar. Just that fast, Cesar had already slid another drink to Kia. His mate was sipping on it, but if he kept this up, he would be too tipsy to seduce.

Jaw tight, Suero turned back to Miguel. “I hope Psycho eats you while you’re asleep,” he ground out. Then he looked at Jared, who’d just taken a drink of his soda.

“You do realize I can hear you.” He set his glass down. “I’ll let you ditch me, but on one condition.” He glanced at his plate. “Actually, make that two conditions.”

Suero felt like he was sinking deeper into debt and might end up owing a kidney if he didn’t get out of there. “And what are those two conditions?” he asked through gritted teeth, barely holding on to his patience.

“One.” Jared pointed at his plate. “Another round of wings and fries.” He shot a glare at Cesar, even though Cesar wasn’t paying him any attention. “And don’t skimp this time.”

The mountain of bones looked like a mini graveyard. How much more could the skinny guy eat? “And the second?”

Jared rested his chin on his hand and grinned at Miguel, who seemed ready to bolt any second. “Introduce me to Psycho.”

* * * *

Kia hadn’t technically said yes to going home with Suero, but ten minutes later, they were walking along the cracked pavement, the setting sun casting golden hues as it dipped below the horizon.

The night was perfect for a walk, yet Kia kept glancing around, half-expecting Xavier to pop out of the shadows at any moment. It was an absurd thought, but he couldn’t seem to shake it.

Caught in a mental tug-of-war, Kia debated whether to call his uncle and explain what happened, or continue fighting for the independence Xavier seemed hell-bent on denying him.

It was draining to battle over something that shouldn’t have been an issue to begin with.

That’s why Kia chose to go home with Suero. A rebellious act that was long overdue, but left him feeling a mix of liberation and panic. The growing anxiety had him reaching for his phone. He had to tell Xavier—

Suero bumped arms with him, causing Kia to stumble sideways. He shot a glare at him. “What was that for?”

“Got you out of your headspace,” Suero replied, concern in his mocha-colored eyes. “You looked like you were about to spiral.”

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